DENTON, Texas — Parents and community members are raising alarms over how Denton ISD handled a classroom stabbing at Billy Ryan High School last week, saying vague communication left families in the dark and highlighting fresh concerns about a new Texas law that bans students from carrying cell phones in classrooms.
The stabbing happened on Friday, Aug. 22, in a small classroom outside the main school building.
One student was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while another was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and taken to juvenile detention, according to police.
The district’s initial message to parents only stated that “EMS responded to assist a student in need of medical attention,” without mentioning a stabbing or arrest.
Many parents said they learned the full details from social media and local news reports hours later.
Parent Cristal Mendoza said the district’s choice of words felt misleading, especially now that her children no longer have access to phones at school under House Bill 1481, which took effect this month and prohibits cell phone use in Texas classrooms.
“If you’re going to take my children’s phone, I want full transparency. Period,” Mendoza said.
Parent Josie Gonzalez echoed similar frustration, saying the district’s lack of clear communication did not reflect the seriousness of the situation.
Denton ISD officials defended their response, saying they followed established protocols and were limited by student privacy laws.
They said families of directly affected students were notified and that counseling services were offered on campus.
Still, during the first school board meeting after the incident on Aug. 26, trustees did not address the stabbing publicly, leaving many parents dissatisfied. Gonzalez and others said they plan to push for more straightforward communication when student safety is at risk.
For families, the controversy highlights a larger tension: with phones banned, districts now hold even greater responsibility to provide timely, transparent information during emergencies.
Parents argue that without full disclosure, the ban only deepens their dependence on official updates that may not tell the full story.
What to Know About Texas’ New Cell Phone Ban
House Bill 1481, signed into law earlier this year, took effect in August 2025, just as students returned to classrooms across Texas.
- What it does: The law prohibits students from possessing or using cell phones during instructional time in public school classrooms. Phones must be stored away, typically in backpacks, lockers, or designated areas.
- Why it passed: Supporters argued the ban would reduce classroom distractions, improve focus, and cut down on issues like cheating, bullying, and social media misuse during the school day.
- How it’s enforced: Districts were tasked with developing local policies to comply. Enforcement varies — some campuses collect phones at the start of class, while others rely on student compliance with strict penalties for violations.
- Parent concerns: The Ryan High School stabbing has intensified debate over the law. Parents say that without phones, students cannot contact them in emergencies, placing the full burden on schools to provide timely, accurate communication. Critics argue that vague or delayed district messages leave families vulnerable in crisis situations.
- Ongoing debate: While many educators welcome the change for its academic benefits, parents and safety advocates are pressing lawmakers to reconsider or amend the law to account for emergency scenarios.
About the Author
